Assistant Research Scientist

Education

MA in Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary

Research Interests

My research focuses on the geological and physical factors influencing shorezone systems and applies that knowledge to effective shoreline management. Projects with the Shoreline Studies Program generally include coastal geomorphology, wave mechanics and sediment transport, beach survey analysis, numerical modeling of hydrodynamic processes and shoreline change, and breakwater and beach nourishment performance. I also specialize in the application of state of the art technology in the field and in the lab which has led to improved sampling and analysis techniques particularly in beach mapping and survey data analysis.

Current Projects

Monitoring Protocol Implementation at Sandbridge Beach, Virginia

Shoreline Monitoring at Sandbridge, Virginia using Real-Time Kinematic GPS and an all terrain vehicle.

Shoreline Studies Program

Donna has been working for VIMS since 1994 and performs research on geological and physical factors influencing shorezone systems and applies that knowledge to effective shoreline management. Her research with the Shoreline Studies Program includes coastal geomorphology, wave mechanics and sediment transport, beach survey analysis, numerical modeling of hydrodynamic processes and shoreline change, and breakwater and beach nourishment performance.